What is Halitosis

Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is experienced by people around the world on a daily basis. There are many factors that lead to an unpleasant odor as it can be influenced by diet, lifestyle, hygiene, as well as things we have no control over. Struggling with bad breath especially in today’s highly active society can be a real problem, but understanding the root of the problem and applying methods of treating it can lead to serious chances in one’s environment.

Understanding Bad Breath

Halitosis is the result of certain types of bacteria that emit foul smelling gases when consuming the nutrients found in food particles that remain in the person’s oral cavity. Diet and poor hygiene are the main reasons the bacteria multiplies out of control and certain foods and drinks will increase the severity of the smell.

Dehydration can become a problem that leads to a bad breath, for example. Saliva is highly important for washing away the bacteria and keeping the odors trapped in the liquid. That is the reason why our morning breath smells so terrible. We do not produce saliva in our sleep, or the amount that we do is negligible, therefore nothing will trap the foul gases released by the bacteria. Same thing happens when a person goes on a highly restrictive diet, especially without properly hydrating himself. The amount of saliva that is being produced is significantly lowered, therefore the breath will emit a foul odor.

Diet is key when it comes to breath smell. Every individual reacts different to various foods and drinks, but it has been established that certain products will cause a bad breath while others will actually help to freshen it. For example, onions, garlic and alcohol should be avoided by most as they will lead to a bad breath, at least temporarily. There are, however foods that will counter this effects, such as carrots, apples and fiber rich vegetables. In any case, the person suspecting that the bad breath is caused because of what he eats or drinks, should eliminate one food or drink item from his diet systematically until the culprit is found.

Freshening your Breath

Dental hygiene is the most important aspect when it comes to keeping the breath fresh. Every person should regularly brush his teeth, use anti-bacterial mouthwash and floss to remove the food particles stuck between the teeth. The tongue should be cleaned as well as it is a perfect place for bacteria to develop, especially when a large number of people forget to brush it.

Toothpaste and gums or mints aren’t always available for quickly freshening the breath but there are other ways. For instance, simply drinking water is enough to freshen the breath and significantly reduce the foul smelling odor. Clearing the gases trapped inside the mouth and hydrating to create more saliva will yield immediate results.

Conclusion

Bad breath is a common problem but it can be easily controlled. Paying attention to hygiene, diet and lifestyle will all contribute to oral health. Focusing on only one aspect may not be enough, but when applying all the measures at once, bad breath will certainly become a thing of the past.